Expand Your Food Options by Trying These Vegan Alternatives Today!
There are a lot of compelling reasons to go vegan. Aside from reducing carbon emissions, it also benefits individuals by fueling fitness. In fact, we list some key ingredients that you can only get from plant-based food here on EcoFriendlyLink, like Vitamin A, Potassium, and Vitamin C. Most of these are found in fruits and vegetables – but what if you want more versatility?
Thankfully, there is an ever-growing number of options that offer more variety and innovation in the realm of vegan alternatives for meat, eggs, and dairy products. Whether you’re planning to go completely vegan, or you just want to try broader diet options, here are some vegan alternatives you can try out!
1. Milk Substitutes
The market for non-dairy milk is picking up – you can now try soy, oat, cashew, hazelnut, and almond milk. Aside from being more ethically sourced and lactose-free, they add more choice and flavor to your meals and drinks. You can even find oat milk that mimics the behavior of steamed whole milk for coffee and tea.
2. Cashews
Cashews aren’t just an incredible source of protein—they’re also a versatile ingredient that you can add to spice up many of your dishes! Cashews are filled with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can suit dishes both sweet and savory. They’re commonly used to add texture to desserts and dishes, but they’re also used as a common ingredient for dairy substitutes. You can find vegan cashew-based ingredients like cashew milk, cashew cream and cashew cheese.
3. Soy
If you’re worried about losing out on protein with a plant-based diet, then that’s easily solvable with soy-based vegan alternatives. Food like edamame, tempeh, and tofu are all made from soybeans, which are a whole source of protein and amino acids. Edamame can be used as a substitute for lima or fava beans or can be processed into hummus. Meanwhile, tempeh’s nutty flavor can be grilled, marinated then fried, and then used as toppings. Finally, there’s good ol’ tofu — which has always been popular and is great for absorbing flavor. However, be aware that soy is often a monocrop (bad for the soil and environment) and some soy is heavily processed, making it unhealthy.
4. Meat Substitutes
One of the greatest causes for turning vegan is concerns about the environmental, animal, and health consequences of meat consumption. An article from The Guardian on meat’s carbon emissions reveals that meat production causes twice the pollution of producing plant-based food. With the growing demand for vegan meat alternatives, good supermarkets are now offering a greater variety of plant-based options including vegan sausages and burger patties. Again though, know that may plant-based alternatives to meat are heavily processed and often contain artificial ingredients and additives.
5. Egg substitutes
Many recipes can’t do without an egg. If you’re looking for alternatives for your baking and other cooking purposes, then some widely available alternatives include ground flax or chia seeds, aquafaba, banana, or other commercial egg replacers. Adding a dash of these can do wonders for leavening and binding ingredients in your recipes.
When it comes to vegan food, you don’t have to sacrifice taste and versatility. After all, going vegan is about overall betterment—and you can’t have that without enjoying your meals!
This article was exclusively written for www.ecofriendlylink.com by Allie Cooper – a writer by passion and by trade. Having been published on multiple platforms, Andrea has covered multiple topics including sustainability, wellness, education, and healthcare. In her free time, she writes poetry.
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